Kangpokpi IDPs stage protest, insist on justice and rehabilitation before return

Hundreds of internally displaced persons from Kangpokpi district today staged a protest at Keithelmanbi Military Colony under Champhai Sub-Division, declaring that they would not return to their native places until justice is ensured and normal conditions are fully restored.
The demonstration was organised by the Kangpokpi District Internally Displaced Welfare Committee (KDIDWC). Protesters carried placards reading “Justice for IDPs” and raised slogans seeking accountability, transparency and comprehensive rehabilitation measures prior to any proposed return.
The agitation comes amid announcements by the Government of Manipur and the Centre regarding rehabilitation initiatives, including a March 31, 2026 target for resettlement. However, the displaced families asserted that deadlines and assurances alone cannot substitute for concrete measures guaranteeing safety, livelihood restoration and long-term stability.
Addressing the gathering, KDIDWC spokesperson Neihoiching Vaiphei stated that announcements without implementation fail to address the realities faced by families uprooted by violence. She outlined a set of demands focused on sustained financial assistance, housing compensation, education, healthcare and livelihood support.
Among the key demands are continuation of Direct Benefit Transfer payments until normalcy is achieved, immediate release of pending agricultural compensation for 2023 losses, full educational support for displaced students and swift settlement of property damage claims. The IDPs also sought financial assistance of Rs. 1 lakh per family in four instalments and comprehensive medical coverage.
The protesters further demanded universal coverage under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin irrespective of employment status, enhanced compensation for damaged houses — Rs 10 lakh for kacha houses, Rs 15 lakh for semi-pucca and Rs 20 lakh for pucca structures for claims submitted before March 31 — and immediate registration of all unregistered displaced persons. They also called for phased financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to all IDPs.
Repeated chants of “No Return Till Normalcy Is Restored” underscored the collective position that rehabilitation must be anchored in justice, security and dignified resettlement rather than administrative timelines.
The protest reflects continuing dissatisfaction among displaced families from Kangpokpi district, who maintain that safe and sustainable return remains contingent on tangible action beyond official announcements.